ROBERT K. CHRISTENSEN, CDR, USN

Robert Christensen '73

Date of birth: August 19, 1951

Date of death: July 24, 1992

Age: 40

Lucky Bag

From the 1973 Lucky Bag:

Robert K. Christensen

North Babylon, New York

Bob openly scoffed at the 30 hr. a week study, but still made Supe's list all four years. If not for his enjoyment of running, his big appetite would have been his downfall. Romantically, he was able to light both ends of the candle without getting burned.

Robert K. Christensen

North Babylon, New York

Bob openly scoffed at the 30 hr. a week study, but still made Supe's list all four years. If not for his enjoyment of running, his big appetite would have been his downfall. Romantically, he was able to light both ends of the candle without getting burned.

Loss

Robert lost when the F/A-18 he was piloting crashed off the coast of Vieques on the night of July 24, 1992.

From The Daily Press on July 25, 1992:

NORFOLK - The pilot of an F/A-18 Hornet from the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy was killed early Friday when his aircraft crashed into the sea off Vieques Island near Puerto Rico, the Navy said.
Cmdr. Robert K. Christensen, 40, of Jacksonville, Fla., was the commanding officer of Strike-Fighter Squadron 37, based at Cecil Field Naval Air Station in Florida. The single-seat aircraft was on a routine night training mission, the Navy said.

Other Information

From Heroes of the United States Naval Academy:

Robert Kragh Christensen was born on August 19, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to George and Jean Christensen. He was nominated to the United States Naval Academy from New York. Midshipman Christensen was a member to the 31st Company and graduated 58 of 886 Midshipmen on June 6, 1973.
In June 1973, Ensign Christensen was assigned under instruction at Naval Air Station, Pensacola Florida.
In December 1974, LTJG Christensen earned is “Wings of Gold.”
LTJG Christensen was assigned to replacement pilot training in VA-174, “Hellrazors” flying A-7E Corsair II based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field.
In 1976 LTJG Christensen was assigned to “Golden Warriors” of Attack Squadron 87 (VA-87), deploying on board aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66).
In July 1978, Lieutenant Christensen was assigned to Training Squadron 26 (VT-26) “Flying Tiger” at Naval Air Station, Beeville, Texas as Flight Instructor and Landing Signal Officer.
In 1983, LCDR Christensen was assigned to Carrier Air Wing Three as Air Wing LSO during deployments on board aircraft carriers USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).
In 1983, Commander Christensen was assigned to the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland as the Ordnance Systems Department Head.
In 1984, Commander Christensen was assigned under instruction at the United States Naval Test Pilot School.
On April 6, 1985, Commander Christensen was a semi-finalist pilot for NASA Astronaut Group 11 Selection.
In October 1985, Commander Christensen was assigned to the Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46) “Clansmen” as Administrative, Maintenance and Operations Officer while deploying aboard aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66).
In 1988 Commander Christensen returned to Naval Air Test Center as Head of the Carrier Suitability Department.
In June 1990, Commander Christensen was assigned to Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) “Bulls” as Executive Officer.
In October 1991, after transitioning from the A-7E to the F/A-18 Hornet, Commander Christensen assumed command of the newly re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37) “Bulls.” VFA-37 was assigned to aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).
On July 24, 1992, Commander Christensen was flying a single-seat F/A-18 Hornet with two other aircraft in a night training mission. At 0015 off Vieques Island near Puerto Rico when his plane crashed in about 28 feet of water about one quarter of a mile from shore. Search operations included aircraft from the John F. Kennedy and two ships destroyer USS Hayler (DD-997) and guide missile cruiser USS Wainwright (CG-28). It’s suspected by some that night visision google may have contributed to the crash.
Commander Christensen’s personal decorations includes: Navy Commendation Medal (2).
Commander Christensen had over 4800 flight hours in 34 different aircraft and made over 900 carrier landings on the decks of 15 aircraft carriers.